27

January - 2015

Brussels

Electricity is the engine of modern societies and flowering economies. Economic growth is dependent on energy security. Native renewable resources and related grid infrastructure are at the core of the energy transition. More than ever before, electricity has become a basic need and as such also a democratic right. While democracy comes with responsibility, the bigger picture is often lost in local disputes.

While in the past only a few actors dominated generation and transmission, the picture has been changing during recent years. The trend of citizens “taking back” power over the energy system is increasing: distributed generation, unbundling, citizen co-operatives or re-municipalisation of grids are phenomena often described as the democratisation of energy.

Through new technologies, citizens gain more responsibility and become prosumers(producers and consumers) rather than mere consumers of electricity. What’s more, many citizens request an active part in the financing, planning and permitting of new generation and transmission sites. Still, opposition for infrastructure projects on the ground continues to be fierce. New approaches and solutions are urgently needed.

The European Union plays an increasing role in energy policy, be it through the climate and energy packages for 2020 and 2030, the Emission Trading Scheme, Projects of Common European Interest (PCI) and the recently announced Energy Union.

Agenda

12:00 Reception

13:00 The power sector: evolution or revolution?
Antonella Battaglini, CEO, Renewables Grid Initiative | Presentation
Video keynote: Maroš Šefcovic, European Commission, Vice President Energy Union

14:00 Innovation and structural change

How can TSOs master the challenges of the energy transition? | Boris Schucht, CEO 50Hertz
Disruptive storage options | James McDougall, CEO Younicos | Presentation
Collaboration between DSOs and TSOs: policies required to lead the energy transition | Roberto Zangrandi, Special Advisor EDSO

15:30 Coffee break

16:00 Energy and Democracy

Prosumers - responsibility and democracy | Christoph Bals, Policy Director Germanwatch | Presentation
Trust your neighbour: the need for interconnections | Graham Watson, President Climate Parliament
Big data in the electricity sector: peoples’ concerns and needs | Tor Eigil Hodne, Director EU-Office Statnett
Greener grids: infrastructure and biodiversity | Ivana d’Alessandro, Secretary of the Bern Convention, Council of Europe

17:00 The European Energy Union
Pierre Schellekens | Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete

What should the Energy Union deliver for the electricity sector? | Jerzy Buzek, MEP, Chair of the ITRE Committee, Group of the European People's Party
Essential market reforms | Ben Voorhorst, COO TenneT
Liberalisation 2.0 | Claude Turmes, MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
Efficiency vs. flexibility | Monica Frassoni, President Energy Efficiency Alliance
There is no ‘Union’ without sustainability | Ariel Brunner, Head of EU Policy BirdLife Europe

18:30 Break

19:00 “Good Practice of the Year” Award Ceremony